In the early days of the Internet, cyber crime was mostly limited to email scams and the spread of rudimentary computer viruses. Now, we’ve reached a point where it may be possible to hack into the flight control systems of airplanes.
With the rise of Bitcoin comes the possibility of ‘cryptojacking’, which aims to use infected computers to generate data for the hacker.
Those with large arrays of computers at the disposal with modern operating systems (such as business owners) are prime targets for these cyber criminals.
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about how to defend against cryptojacking and strengthen your company’s cyber security plan.
So, What Is Cryptojacking?
As previously mentioned, criminals use other people’s computers for their own benefit. Their chosen method is by silently commandeering a victim’s computer and using it to mine bitcoin data, which will eventually generate income for the hacker.
While there often isn’t a blatant red flag that says your machine has been hacked, there are a handful of signs you need to watch out for.
Let’s start with…
Energy Usage
Since the most efficient way to mine data is to do it 24/7, that’s what most hackers choose to do. After all, why should they care since it isn’t their computer?
Those who’ve had their machine infected will likely experience a drastic increase in the amount of energy their computer uses. In fact, the mining application will often use exponentially more energy than any other program on your computer.
As an additional adverse effect, you’ll also experience a higher energy bill. If your business has a large number of machines (such as 20-30+), this cost can prove to be significant.
Performance Issues
Unfortunately, an infected computer doesn’t stop with high energy usage.
Bitcoin mining applications can also lead to a significant slowdown in your device’s performance. If the machine is stressed too greatly, it may even crash.
Even a minor decrease in performance can cost your business thousands of dollars in potential earnings. You also run the risk of failing to meet deadlines or satisfy client expectations due to sluggish turnaround times.
How Can I Prevent It?
As with protecting yourself against any other malware, installing the latest updates for both your antivirus software and your machine’s operating system goes a long way.
Additionally, it’s crucial that you train your employees to recognize and prevent such infections from happening. This includes:
- Learning to recognize (and never open) suspicious emails
- Never share their password information with others
- Immediately report any cyber security concerns
- Know the common signs of a malware infection (slow performance, deleted files, etc.)
As a general protective measure, be sure to check your machines’ energy usage and ongoing processes on occasion. Similarly, keep an eye on your electric bill for any unprecedented changes.
Managing Your Company’s Cyber Security Can Seem Difficult
But it doesn’t have to be.
With the above information about cryptojacking in mind, you’ll be well on your way to making your cyber security defense against hacking stronger than ever.
Want to learn more about how to increase your online security? This article has plenty of useful info.